More Ky Medicaid patients get preventive care

Kentuckians on Medicaid were far more likely to get cancer screenings, physicals and dental check-ups after the state expanded the government program for the poor and disabled through the Affordable Care Act, new state data shows.

The statistics from the state Department of Medicaid Services were presented during a meeting Wednesday of the oversight team for kyhealthnow, an initiative launched by Gov. Steve Beshear in early 2014 that aims to reduce deaths from chronic disease and improve the state’s health. Kentucky ranks poorly on numerous health measures, and has some of the nation’s highest rates of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The new data shows that the number of Medicaid recipients receiving several types of preventive care rose sharply in 2014 compared with 2013. For example, the number receiving breast cancer screenings rose 111 percent, from 24,386 in 2013 to 51,292 in 2014; the number receiving cervical cancer screenings rose 88 percent, from 41,613 to 78,281; and the number receiving colorectal cancer screenings rose 108 percent, from 17,164 to 35,633.

In addition, preventive dental services were up 116 percent among this population, from 73,739 to 159,508; physical exams were up 187 percent, from 22,290 to 63,888; and more Medicaid recipients got cholesterol screenings, flu shots and diabetes screenings. The data includes Kentuckians gaining Medicaid through the expansion as well as those in the traditional Medicaid program.

The expansion has been controversial, with some opponents arguing it’s simply too costly and doesn’t ensure poor patients get care because many doctors won’t take Medicaid given its notoriously low reimbursement. The Kentucky Hospital Association argues the state’s hospitals are losing money because Medicaid, which covers most of those newly insured under the ACA, reimburses hospitals at only 82 percent of the cost of treating patients.

But Kentucky leaders and health officials tout the benefits of expanded Medicaid. A brief from UnitedHealth Group’s Center for Health Reform & Modernization said the state halved its uninsured rate for non-elderly adults from 20.6 percent in 2013 to 9.9 percent in 2014.

“I have said from day one that giving every Kentuckian access to affordable, quality health care coverage will help us tackle our ongoing abysmal health outcomes,” Beshear said. “I’m excited about the enormous gains we’re seeing and even more excited about the long-term implications for our state’s health.”

Reporter Laura Ungar, who also covers public health for USA Today, can be reached at (502)582-7190 or on Twitter @laura_ungar.